“I felt it was time,” Roeschley said regarding his resignation, adding that “it wasn’t an easy decision to make, especially considering that next-year’s team should compete for a spot in the top half of the league.

“Despite not being able to accomplish all (for the program) that I’d hoped, I will take with me some good memories from my coaching years,” Roeschley added. “I draw extreme satisfaction in seeing so many former players successfully balancing professional and family life. I had a lot of quality young adults to work with, undoubtedly a reflection on their parents.”

Roeschley plans to continue teaching in the physical education department and to work on his doctoral program through the University of Phoenix. He came to EMU the fall of 1992 as a residence director and was assistant baseball coach to Ted Kinder in spring, 1993. He became the head coach in 1994 and also joined the teaching faculty that fall.

“I appreciate the many ways that Rob has unselfishly served EMU in academic and co-curricular roles over the past 13 years,” Dr. Nafziger said. “This included serving at various times as a residence director, athletic director and sports information director while also coaching and teaching.”

This change “will allow Rob both to focus on teaching and to broaden his education at the doctoral level,” Nafziger added.

Roeschley compiled a 196-229 overall record in his career at EMU. The record in the first two rebuilding years was 19-51, nearly a .500 record after that point (177-178). The most season wins prior to Roeschley’s tenure was 13; that mark was met or surpassed in 11 of his 12 seasons as coach, including two 20-win seasons – 23-16 in 2001 and 29-13 in 2002 – the latter being the best winning percentage in the history of the program.

Roeschley initiated the EMU Sarasota (Fla.) Spring Classic baseball tournament, which has continued each year since 1997.

Nafziger said that EMU will begin a search for a new baseball coach immediately upon the arrival of new athletic director David A. King, who arrives mid-July. King “may choose to name an interim coach for the non-traditional fall practice season until a replacement can be hired prior to spring 2006,” he added.

“Our aim is to hire another head baseball coach who models Christian character and a commitment to academics while elevating the knowledge and performance of the players on the baseball field,” Nafziger stated. “We are grateful to Rob for leaving the baseball program stronger than where he found it in 1993.”